The Lovat, Loch Ness
Cosy, seasonally-led Highland boutique hotel. Eclectic décor with antique furnishings, traditional Victorian bones, and a few contemporary touches. Warmly unpretentious — this isn't a stuffy country house, it's a place where dogs are allowed in the bar and the chef forages from the kitchen garden.
Book Station Road as early as possible — it fills up fast, especially in summer. Hotel guests get a 15% discount if they pre-book by noon the day before.
Why It Matters
Station Road restaurant is the main draw — three AA rosettes, listed in the Michelin Guide, and winner of Best Restaurant at the 2025 Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards. Chef Sean Kelly builds tasting menus around hyper-local Highland produce, foraged ingredients, and garden-grown herbs. The hotel is also one of Scotland's greenest, using a biomass wood chip heating system. No other 4-star, 3-rosette property exists on Loch Ness.
The Lovat sits on the site of the 18th-century Kilwhimen Barracks in Fort Augustus, at the southern end of Loch Ness, and has been running as a hotel since 1869. It's a family-run 4-star property — husband and wife Sean and Caroline Gregory own the place — with 28 individually designed rooms, a three-rosette restaurant that people genuinely drive hours for, and a strong eco-conscious ethos. The vibe is quiet Highland warmth: log fires, overstuffed sofas, whisky in the bar, and Loch views from most of the rooms.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Deluxe Bedrooms
The entry-level rooms, individually designed with lots of natural light and views over the rolling hills and village. Good value for the quality — all the standard Lovat amenities are in place, just without the loch-facing drama.
Garden Bedrooms
The dedicated pet-friendly option, housed in their own separate quarters next to the main building. Ground-floor access with private outdoor enclosed area. Two rooms are wheelchair-adapted. Modern décor, outdoor seating area, shower over bath. The hotel provides dog bowls, towels, and treats. Dogs are also welcome in the bar.
Grand Master
One of the largest rooms in the hotel. Freestanding bath is a genuine standout — pairs with Gordon Castle toiletries and a bathroom TV. Bay window with a seating area looks straight out over Loch Ness. Double shower as well as the bath. Premium bedding, bathrobes, the works.
Super KingLoft Bedrooms
Charming individually designed rooms on the upper floors with modern furnishings and hill/village views. One Loft room (Room 25) can sleep a family of 3–4 with a super king sofa bed for children. Good value entry point into the hotel.
Super KingLoft Bedrooms with Loch Ness View
Set in the upper floors of the hotel — three rooms (22–24) look out to Loch Ness with super king or king TV beds. Modern furnishings with individual character. Note: some have low sloping ceilings typical of attic-style rooms.
Super King or KingMaster Bedrooms
The same comfortable format as the Loch-view Masters but facing the hills or village rather than the water. Still roomy, well-presented, with all standard amenities. A good-value step up from the Loft rooms.
King or Super KingMaster Bedrooms with Loch Ness View
Traditional furnishings, snug seating area, and a front-row seat to Loch Ness. The pick of the Master category if the view is non-negotiable. Comfortable rather than vast, but thoughtfully fitted out.
King or Super King
The Apartment
The biggest, most self-contained space in the house. A separate sitting room with bay window, kitchenette, super king bed, and sofa bed — plus those iconic Loch Ness views. There's a log fire. Gordon Castle luxury toiletries. Ideal for longer stays, couples who want to properly settle in, or small families.
Super King + Sofa BedThe Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Partner activity hub in Glencoe offering Segway tours, e-bike hire, archery, and laser clay pigeon shooting. Hotel guests get 20% off with promo code LOVAT20.
Canoeing on Loch Ness and gorge walking near Inverness with outdoor adventure company In Your Element. Hotel guests receive 10% off all bookings.
The hotel keeps four adult mountain bikes on-site (1 small, 2 medium, 1 large) for guests to hire and explore the trails through the glens. Includes helmet and bike lock. Contact the team for availability.
Guided fishing excursions and tuition on local waterways with over 50 years of experience. Wild brown trout and salmon. All skill levels welcome.
Pick up the hotel's walking map at reception and head out on the Great Glen Way or nearby forestry river walks. Wildlife-rich routes of varying lengths. Staff will point you in the right direction.
A short hike up to the viewpoint at Allt na Criche for a bird's-eye panorama of Loch Ness and the Great Glen. The hotel is just minutes away.
Guided tour to a working croft above Drumnadrochit where you can get up close with Highland Cattle, with panoramic views of Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle.
Shiatsu, Reflexology, and Indian Head Massage sessions with a visiting practitioner. Available Thursday–Saturday, 12pm–5pm. Book through reservations.
Daily and evening cruises on Loch Ness, plus speed boat options, departing 5 minutes' walk from the hotel. Operated by family-run Cruise Loch Ness.
A cold-water dip in Loch Ness — 'dook' being the Scottish word for a plunge into water. Brave and memorable. Speak to the team to arrange.
Evening stargazing tours under the Highland dark skies, run by local astronomer and mathematician Stephen Mackintosh. Available September–March. Suitable for small to medium groups.
A guided one-hour session at the Waypoint Bar exploring local distilleries, whisky heritage, and tasting notes. Includes four drams. Led by the bar team. Available Tuesday–Saturday, 2:00–4:00pm.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Flexible private dining and meeting facilities accommodating up to 70 guests. Audio-visual equipment available for a fee. Wedding and exclusive-use packages available.
Front lawn leading to Loch Ness views and an outdoor terrace for al fresco drinks.
Garden Rooms specifically designed for guests with pets, with private enclosed outdoor areas. Dogs also allowed in the bar areas.
Multiple guest lounges with large Victorian fireplaces, grand piano, overstuffed sofas, and a DVD and games library.
Revolutionary eco-friendly biomass wood chip boiler for central heating and hot water. One of Scotland's greenest hotels — participant in the Green Tourism Programme.
On-site kitchen garden supplying herbs and produce directly to the Station Road restaurant.
Transportation to/from Inverness Airport can be arranged by the hotel for an additional fee.
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Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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